BEACH INFO:

Anahim Lake is the site of a long-established Chilcotin settlement, which was expanded in the 1940s and the 1950s by Carrier Native peoples who had gradually left their remote villages to move to Anahim Lake.

Nearby Nimpo Lake, the Floatplane Capital of British Columbia, is the busiest fly-out centre in the interior of BC, offering aerial sightseeing tours and fishing fly-in trips into the pristine and remote wilderness lakes and rivers of the Chilcotin. From here, adventurers can access isolated cabins set in magnificent scenery not matched elsewhere in British Columbia.

Anahim Lake in summer offers incredible rainbow trout fishing, canoeing, rowing and boating. Fishing in British Columbia. In winter, Anahim Lake offers skating, skiing, snow shoeing, ice fishing, and much more.

AMENITIES:

Campgrounds are located on the Atnarko River, near park headquarters at the bottom of the hill, and farther west at Fisheries Pool, near Stuie.

Canoeing: The chain of lakes connected by Hunlen Creek provides the opportunity for an enjoyable canoeing trip of three to five days. Leading from Turner Lake to Sunshine Lake, a distance of about 27 km one way, this route enjoys calm water, beautiful scenery, good cutthroat trout fishing, sandy beaches, and wilderness camping.

Hiking: The Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail runs through the park, but it's not the only trail of length in the park. Tweedsmuir is serious backcountry hiking and camping. West of the park headquarters is the start of the Tweedsmuir Trail, which leads north about 35 km to the Rainbow Cabin on the Alexander Mackenzie Trail, and also leads to the Rainbow Range. The Hunlen Falls/Turner Lakes Trail (58 km return) along the Atnarko River begins at the Young Creek picnic site east of park headquarters, and passes through prime grizzly bear habitat. Don't hike alone, and exercise caution at all times! Other trails in the south region include the Ptarmigan Lake Trail (24 km return), which ascends to Panorama Ridge, Lonesome Lake Trail (31 km), the Junker Lake Trail (21 km), Rainbow Range Trail (16 km return), and a couple of others.

Horseback Riding: Horses are permitted on many of the trails leading from Rainbow Range trailhead, 30 km west of Anahim Lake. The Alexander Mackenzie Trail can also be travelled by horseback. You'll also find good riding on the Puntzi Lake trails, 7 km north of Highway 20, about 60 km west of Alexis Creek.

Picnic Sites include, from east to west, Rainbow Range, just inside the park's east entrance; Young Creek, a good place to take a break while driving the hill; Big Rock, Fisheries Pool, and Burnt Bridge, near the park's western entrance.

Wildlife: Magnificent trumpeter swans winter at Lonesome Lake, south of Highway 20.

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Anahim Beach and 8,000 other beaches.